ROUND 15 of the Coates Talent League kicks off tomorrow morning as Gippsland Power takes on Calder Cannons at Shepley Oval. The fixture is the first of four slated for what is set to be a super Saturday, leaving only the Oakleigh-Greater Western Victoria clash for Sunday.

WHEN: Saturday July 12, 11:00am
WHERE: Shepley Oval, Dandenong
WATCH: Live stream via Coates Talent League app

IN A SENTENCE:

After snapping a four-game losing run last week, Calder Cannons face the toughest test in Coates Talent League football right now when they face the 9-1 Gippsland Power on neutral ground, minus a host of Vic Metro representatives.

WHERE THEY SIT:

Gippsland Power – 9-1 | 154.9% | WWWWW
Calder Cannons – 5-5 | 113.8% | WLLLL

TEAMS:

Gippsland Power

B: 21. O. Wilson – 22. F. O’Brien – 15. T. Macmillan
HB: 28. H. Tatterson – 32. L. Masters – 41. C. Snell
C: 26. M. Stevens – 10. C. Templeton – 16. J. Scapin
HF: 2. J. Bills – 3. S. Grummisch – 37. K. Boi
F: 33. W. Malady – 40. X. Ladbrook – 11. M. Neocleous
FOL: 44. D. Leslie – 17. L. Cheffers – 4. Z. O’Keefe

INT: 6. J. Burgiel, 9. M. Woodall, 20. S. Anderson, 36. A. Mounsey, 45. K. Mounsey

Calder Cannons

B: 8. J. Dodorico – 27. J. Barber – 50. I. Merhi
HB: 7. H. Pearce – 15. G. Papal – 10. J. Laidler
C: 1. J. Manfre – 4. O. Watt – 13. J. Naim
HF: 20. J. Watkins – 12. T. Robinson – 11. J. Fleming
F: 35. W. Hanegraaf – 30. B. Taylor – 26. Z. McKenzie
FOL: 42. Z. Newman – 34. B. Justice – 18. S. Harris

INT: 19. L. West, 31. T. Lincoln, 37. D. Sexton, 38. T. Leeds, 39. C. Robbins, 57. N. Hanegraaf

ONES TO WATCH:

Gippsland has regained access to a bunch of Vic Country representatives, barring top pick contender Willem Duursma, A1 midfielder Brodie Atkins, and injured captain Tom Matthews. Despite that, six Country squad members will take the field for the ladder leaders.

Mitchell Stevens and Jobe Scapin look like being the wing pairing, while Zachary O’Keefe and bottom-ager Cody Templeton line up at the centre bounces. The full forward line of 2026 talent is perhaps most exciting, featuring Wil Malady, Xavier Ladbrook, and Marlon Neocleous.

Calder comes in comparatively undermanned, but fresh off a strong bounceback win. Key defensive duo Jackson Barber and Gus Papal will have their hands full, while at the other end of the ground competitive goalkicker Taj Robinson is in form, booting 11 majors in his last four games.

There will also be interest in club-tied talent like Blake Justice (Essendon Next Generation Academy), Sam Harris (North Melbourne father-son), and Levi West (Western Bulldogs father-son). All three are set to be unleashed in midfield, with the latter pair being bottom-agers.

PREDICTION:

Gippsland has been a force this year and head into this clash with plenty of firepower. The combination of a Vic Country bye and APS break means Calder will be well and truly up against it, especially in the absence of their leading draft prospects to Vic Metro. Power by 30.

ROUND 15 FIXTURE

Saturday July 12:

Gippsland Power vs. Calder Cannons
11:00am @ Shepley Oval

Geelong Falcons vs. Western Jets
1:10pm @ St Albans, Thomson

Bendigo Pioneers vs. Murray Bushrangers
1:40pm @ Queen Elizabeth Oval

Dandenong Stingrays vs. Sandringham Dragons
2:00pm @ Belvedere Reserve

Sunday July 13:

GWV Rebels vs. Oakleigh Chargers
1:10pm @ Shepley Oval